Mop head, and mop comprising the mop head

ABSTRACT

A mop head includes: a support body; and textile fringes extending in a longitudinal direction, the textile fringes being each secured on the support body in the longitudinal direction and having an opposite end in the longitudinal direction, at least one fringe including at least two strands including a first strand and a second strand, the strands making contact with one another by directly abutting one another, each strand having a same length. During use of the mop head, the strands are configured to exhibit shrinkage behaviors in the longitudinal direction deviating from one another under action of water and/or heat. The strands are fixed to one another by at least one fixation in the longitudinal direction such that the strands are held at a same length during the use of the mop head.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Phase application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2018/050610, filed on Jan. 11, 2018, and claims benefit to German Patent Application No. DE 10 2017 004 809.6, filed on May 19, 2017. The International Application was published in German on Nov. 22, 2018 as WO/2018/210458 under PCT Article 21(2).

FIELD

The invention relates to a mop head and to a mop comprising the mop head. The mop head comprises a support body and textile fringes extending in the longitudinal direction, wherein the fringes, on the one hand, are each secured on the support body in the longitudinal direction and, on the other hand, have an opposite end in the longitudinal direction.

BACKGROUND

Such a mop head and a mop comprising such a mop head are generally known. The textile fringes have an identical design and comprise threads that have an identical design and that extend parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction and are loosely assigned to one another. During the intended use of the mop head, when the fringes are exposed to the action of water and/or heat, they exhibit consistent shrinkage behavior in the longitudinal direction.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a mop head, comprising: a support body; and textile fringes extending in a longitudinal direction, the textile fringes being each secured on the support body in the longitudinal direction and having an opposite end in the longitudinal direction, at least one fringe comprising at least two strands including a first strand and a second strand, the strands making contact with one another by directly abutting one another, each strand having a same length, wherein during use of the mop head, the strands are configured to exhibit shrinkage behaviors in the longitudinal direction deviating from one another under action of water and/or heat, and wherein the strands are fixed to one another by at least one fixation in the longitudinal direction such that the strands are held at a same length during the use of the mop head.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described in even greater detail below based on the exemplary figures. The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments. Other features and advantages of various embodiments of the present invention will become apparent by reading the following detailed description with reference to the attached drawings which illustrate the following:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the mop head according to the invention; and

FIG. 2 shows a fringe as used in the mop head according to FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a mop head and a mop of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that the fringes are better adapted to the respective circumstances of the application and have consistently good usage properties during a long service life. The appearance of the mop head in the production-related state and during the intended use under the action of water and/or heat should also not differ substantially from one another.

To achieve the object, a mop head is provided, comprising a support body and textile fringes extending in the longitudinal direction, the fringes, on the one hand, each being secured on the support body in the longitudinal direction and, on the other hand, having an opposite end in the longitudinal direction, at least one fringe comprising at least two strands including a first strand and a second strand, the strands making contact with one another by directly abutting one another, each strand for production-related reasons having the same length, during the intended use of the mop head, the strands exhibiting shrinkage behaviors in the longitudinal direction deviating from one another under the action of water and/or heat for material-related reasons, and the strands being fixed to one another by at least one fixation in the longitudinal direction in such a way that the strands are held at the same length during the intended use of the mop head.

To achieve the object, additionally a mop is provided, which comprises the mop head described above, the mop head being connected to a handle.

It is advantageous in this context that the strands used in a fringe can be easily adapted to the respective circumstances of the application. Thus, for example, the option exists to design one of the strands so as to be capable of absorbing or releasing a comparatively large amount of cleaning liquid such that this strand therefore has essentially sponge-like usage properties. In the same fringe, at least one further strand can be used which has usage properties deviating therefrom. The deviating usage properties can consist of the second strand having more abrasive usage properties and being composed of a textile material that practically neither absorbs nor releases cleaning liquid. One and the same fringe therefore has a multifunctional design and is well-suited, for example, for initially moistening the surface to be cleaned, thereafter abrasively removing impurities from the surface to be cleaned, and then, after the mop head has been rinsed out and wrung out, absorbing the moisture again from the previously cleaned surface.

Under the action of water and/or heat, different textile materials in a fringe frequently have shrinkage behaviors in the longitudinal direction which differ from one another for material-related reasons. Thus, during the intended use, it is possible, for example, that the second strand shrinks more strongly in the longitudinal direction in relation to the first strand under the action of water and/or heat. This would impair the quality of the cleaning result.

It would also be disadvantageous for the mop head to look less aesthetically appealing as a result of the varying degrees of shrinkage of the strands.

To prevent the aforementioned disadvantages, it is therefore provided according to the invention to compensate for this differing shrinkage of the strands by fixing the strands of the fringes to one another by fixing in the longitudinal direction such that the strands are held at the same length during the intended use of the mop head. Even under the action of water and/or heat, the strands of the fringe thus always have the same length. From the support body to the opposite end, the fringe therefore has identical usage properties over the entire length thereof. Thus, both strands are also effective in the region of the opposite end of the fringe, and the mop head, even during its intended use, has an appearance that practically does not differ from the production-related appearance.

The fixation can be configured as a retaining thread system. The retaining thread system can comprise at least one retaining thread which is designed as a retaining stitch, for example.

The fixation likewise does not change the length thereof, regardless of the action of water and/or heat.

The fixation causes the strand that, during the intended use of the mop head, has greater shrinkage under the action water and/or heat to compress the adjoining strand having the comparatively lesser shrinkage. As a result of the compression of the strand having the comparatively lesser shrinkage, this strand then usually has a voluminous shape, which contributes to a further improved cleaning result.

Differences in length of the mutually adjoining strands of normally up to 40% can easily be compensated for by the fixation.

All textile fringes of a mop head can be designed as described above.

According to another embodiment, it may be advantageous for only the textile fringes arranged on the surface of the mop head to be designed as described above. Within a bell-shaped mop head, textile fringes can be provided which are designed in a manner deviating therefrom. As a result, the mop head can be adapted even better to the respective circumstances of the application depending on how the mop equipped with the mop head is guided by the user over the surface to be cleaned.

The fringes on the circumferentially outer surface of the mop head have different usage properties than the inner fringes.

According to an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that fringe fixation comprises at least one retaining thread system, which extends essentially transversely to the longitudinal direction.

The retaining thread system can include at least one retaining thread, which is designed as a retaining stitch, for example.

The extension of the retaining thread system transversely to the longitudinal direction results in an interlocking effect, effective in the longitudinal direction, of the strands arranged adjoining one another. A relative displacement of the mutually adjoining strands, which would result in strands of differing lengths, is thereby precluded. The fringe is constricted in the region of the retaining thread system, whereby, as viewed in the longitudinal direction, a relatively voluminous shape of the fringe results on both sides of the constriction. During the intended use of the mop head, the strand having the comparatively lesser shrinkage is even more voluminous due to the compression thereof, and the cleaning result is improved.

The retaining thread system can be formed by a retaining stitch made of twine. The retaining stitch is designed so as to ensure reliable fixation of the strands fixed to one another even when the mop head is used during a long usage period.

The retaining thread system may circumferentially surround the fringe in the longitudinal direction in at least one location of its extension. To reduce the mechanical stress of the retaining thread system, however, it is however expedient to provide a plurality of locations in the longitudinal direction of the fringe which are surrounded circumferentially by the retaining thread system. The mechanical stress of the retaining thread system arises from the fact that the strand having the comparatively greater shrinkage compresses the strand having the comparatively lesser shrinkage, and the retaining thread system nevertheless has to fix the strand having the comparatively lesser shrinkage to the strand having the comparatively greater shrinkage in the region of the retaining thread system. A relative movement between the strands in the region of the retaining thread system is precluded.

Varying degrees of shrinkage of the strands can be compensated particularly well by the retaining thread system circumferentially surrounding the fringe in the longitudinal direction from the support body to the opposite end. For example, the option exists that the retaining thread system uniformly and circumferentially surrounds the fringe, as viewed in the longitudinal direction, particularly preferably in a substantially helical manner.

According to an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the retaining thread system comprises retaining threads, for example retaining stitches, that, as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the fringe, each have a width relative to one another which corresponds approximately to the thickness of the fringe. As a result, the differing strands, on the one hand, are reliably fixed to one another in the longitudinal direction, and, on the other hand, such a fringe has a sufficiently large cleaning surface to be able to clean a surface to be cleaned quickly and thoroughly.

For common domestic applications, it has proven to be advantageous if the retaining thread system has a regular spacing. Between the support body and the opposite end, the strands, as viewed in the longitudinal direction, are fixed to one another, for example, approximately every centimeter, to thereby reliably fix the strands to one another, compensate for the varying shrinkage of the strands, and obtain the aesthetically appealing appearance of the mop head under all operating conditions.

The strands can be arranged parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction. The fringe then has a substantially rectangular cross-section and precisely defined regions having differing usage properties. Deviating therefrom, the strands can spirally surround one another.

The fringe then has a substantially round cross-section, wherein the regions having differing usage properties, as viewed in the wiping direction, are formed to transition into other.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the strands are arranged parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction, that the fringe comprises at least three strands, wherein two strands have an identical design, comprise identical first threads and, during the intended use, have the same shrinkage, and one strand is designed deviating therefrom, comprises second threads and, during the intended use, has a greater or lesser shrinkage in the longitudinal direction, and that the strand comprising the second threads is arranged between the strands comprising the identical first threads and is fixed therebetween by the fixation in the longitudinal direction.

It is advantageous in this context that the mutual supporting action of the strands having differing shrinkage is particularly effective. The symmetry also results in an appealing appearance of the mop head/mop. It is also possible to use three strands, each comprising a different material.

During the intended use, the second threads can absorb or release less cleaning liquid and/or have more abrasive usage properties than the first threads. As a result, the mop head is also well suited for cleaning surfaces that are more heavily soiled.

The previously described mop head may be connected to a handle and thereby forms a mop having the advantageous characteristics described above.

FIG. 1 shows a bell-shaped mop head which forms a mop together with the handle 13.

The mop head comprises a support body 1 made of a polymeric material. The textile fringes 2 which are each secured on the support body 1 extend in a bell shape in the longitudinal direction 3 up to the opposite end 4 thereof. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the opposite end 4 is designed as a free end, but can also have a loop-shaped design.

The fringes 2 form the circumferential outer surface of the mop head; in the interior of the mop head, that is to say under the fringes 2, further fringes are arranged which are designed in a deviating manner, for example of a uniform material.

In the shown exemplary embodiment, the fringes 2 comprise three strands 5 a, 5 b, 6, wherein two of the strands 5 a, 5 b have an identical design. The strands 5 a, 5 b therefore comprise identical first threads 7 which are well suited to absorb or release cleaning liquid.

The second strand 6 is designed in a manner deviating therefrom and comprises the second threads 8, wherein the second threads 8, compared to the first threads 7, absorb or release less cleaning liquid and have more abrasive usage properties.

Due to the differing materials of which the first threads 7 and the second threads 8 are made, they exhibit shrinkages that deviate from one another under the action of water and/or heat for material-related reasons. The shrinkage of the second threads 8 is the same as the shrinkage of the first threads 7 under the conditions described above. As a result, the second strand 6 exhibits greater shrinkage during the intended use than the strands 5 a, 5 b under the action of water and/or heat for material-related reasons.

Fixation 10 is established a retaining thread system and fixes the strands 5 a, 5 b, 6 to one another in the longitudinal direction 3. As a result of this interlocking effect of the respective mutually adjoining strands 5 a, 6; 6, 5 b, causes the strands 5 a, 5 b, 6 to always have an equivalent length 9, even during the intended use of the mop head; consequently, the fringes 2 from the support body 1 to their opposite end 4 in the longitudinal direction 3 clean consistently well, and have an appearance that is always the same.

Fixation 10 is established by the retaining stitch 11, wherein the retaining stitch 11 has a substantially equal distance from the support body 1 to the opposite end 4 of the fringes 2. The retaining stitch 11 extends essentially transversely to the longitudinal direction 3 of the fringes 2, thereby resulting in mechanical interlocking of the strands 5 a, 5 b, 6 to one another in the longitudinal direction 3, and these are always fixed relative to one another in the position shown here.

The locations 12 at which the fringes 2 are constricted by the retaining stitch 11 extend, as viewed in the longitudinal direction 3, substantially uniformly from the support body 1 to the opposite end 4.

In general, the option exists for at least one fringe of the mop head to have, for example, only two strands, or more than three strands. If a set of two is used, the two strands can be arranged so as to mutually surround one another spirally.

For common domestic applications, it has proven to be advantageous if the retaining stitch 11 has a mesh width of approximately 1 cm. Between the support body 1 and the opposite end 4, the strands 5 a, 5 b, 6, as viewed in the longitudinal direction 13, are thus fixed to one another approximately every centimeter, so as to compensate for the differing shrinkage of the strands 5 a, 5 b, 6 and to obtain the aesthetically appealing appearance of the mop head.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. It will be understood that changes and modifications may be made by those of ordinary skill within the scope of the following claims. In particular, the present invention covers further embodiments with any combination of features from different embodiments described above and below. Additionally, statements made herein characterizing the invention refer to an embodiment of the invention and not necessarily all embodiments.

The terms used in the claims should be construed to have the broadest reasonable interpretation consistent with the foregoing description. For example, the use of the article “a” or “the” in introducing an element should not be interpreted as being exclusive of a plurality of elements. Likewise, the recitation of “or” should be interpreted as being inclusive, such that the recitation of “A or B” is not exclusive of “A and B,” unless it is clear from the context or the foregoing description that only one of A and B is intended. Further, the recitation of “at least one of A, B and C” should be interpreted as one or more of a group of elements consisting of A, B and C, and should not be interpreted as requiring at least one of each of the listed elements A, B and C, regardless of whether A, B and C are related as categories or otherwise. Moreover, the recitation of “A, B and/or C” or “at least one of A, B or C” should be interpreted as including any singular entity from the listed elements, e.g., A, any subset from the listed elements, e.g., A and B, or the entire list of elements A, B and C. 

1. A mop head, comprising: a support body; and a plurality of textile fringes extending from the support body in a longitudinal direction, each of the textile fringes being secured at a first end on the support body and having an opposite end in the longitudinal direction, at least one fringe comprising at least two strands including a first strand and a second strand, the strands making contact with one another by directly abutting one another, each strand having a same length, wherein during use of the mop head, the strands are configured to exhibit shrinkage behaviors in the longitudinal direction deviating from one another under action of water and/or heat, and wherein the strands are fixed to one another by at least one fixation in the longitudinal direction such that the strands are held at a same length during the use of the mop head.
 2. The mop head according to claim 1, wherein the at least one fixation comprises at least one retaining stitch which extends substantially transversely to the longitudinal direction.
 3. The mop head according to claim 2, wherein a retaining stitch circumferentially surrounds the fringe in the longitudinal direction in at least one location of an extension thereof.
 4. The mop head according to claim 3, wherein the retaining stitch circumferentially surrounds the fringe in the longitudinal direction from the support body to the opposite end.
 5. The mop head according to claim 3, wherein the retaining stitch uniformly and circumferentially surrounds the fringe, as viewed in the longitudinal direction.
 6. The mop head according to claim 3, wherein the retaining stitch surrounds the fringe from the support body to the opposite end in a substantially helical manner.
 7. The mop head according to claim 1, wherein the first strand comprises first threads, and the second strand comprises second threads.
 8. The mop head according to claim 1, wherein the strands are arranged parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction, wherein the fringe comprises at least three strands, two strands having an identical design, comprising identical first threads and, during the use, having the same shrinkage, and one strand being configured so as to deviated therefrom, comprising second threads and, during the use, having greater or lesser shrinkage in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the strand comprising the second threads is arranged between the strands comprising the identical first threads and is fixed therebetween by the at least one fixation in the longitudinal direction.
 9. The mop head according to claim 7, wherein the second threads are configured to absorb or release less cleaning liquid during the use, and/or have more abrasive usage properties than the first threads.
 10. A mop, comprising: the mop head according to claim 1; and a handle connected to the mop head. 